The whole mess with the fixed games for the most part, and the idiocy of the board members of Panathinaikos have left me completele numb and unable to follow or even watch any Greek football games.
Long time friends here know that I usually watch every single Panathinaikos game during the year and follow every single rumor over the off season. I agonize over tactics, over form, over pre-season, and the overall performance of the team.
But things have changed for me this year.
The summer went by without the usual agony over the transfers (I already knew what was going to happen), the friendlies seemed completely uninteresting, the European games simply verified what I already knew was going to happen but was afraid to admit, and the Superleague games seem meaningless.
Except, last time I watched the game against Giannina, I found myself getting excited once again. I found myself twitching my leg every time Leto was about to shoot - as if I was about to shoot the ball myself, and grinding my teeth whenever opposing players seemed to beat our own on defence - as if they were going by me.
To be sure, the game felt meaningless because I don't expect much from this season, but at the same time the game was exciting for once just because it was a GAME! And in this last word I am beginning to find some meaning in this seemingly hopeless season/board/league.
It's like in real life when we find more meaning amidst the worst calamities.
I love Panathinaikos despite the wins or losses. I love the game even when we don't win the league. I love the play and the players on the pitch more that I care for the board or the actual pathetic Greek football league.
As soon as I shed from my mind the fixed games and the rigged league and the pathetic shareholders and the clueless reporters (such they are), "organized fans", and the violence, the game seems like fun again. I don't care if we win the league or break records. All I really want and enjoy is to watch the 90 minutes of "αγών¨ on the pitch.
The players seemed unaffected and played with pride last contest, and playing their game, they are giving me a new start this season. As long as they play hard every game I'll be there as a Panathinaikos fan.
And with that realization, I am looking forward to watching the game against Atromitos.
From my end, I am going to give it a break with the analysis so as not to contribute to the already existing turmoil. There is really no reason to overanalyze every single player and every single move by the coach. If a player makes a costly mistake, it's not the end of the world. I'll try to focus on the positives and do what I believe is good for the club at this crossroads.
The game is better without the clowns who own and pretend that they don't, and without those who pretend that they want to own but they are afraid to say they don't. I don't listen and I don't read their drivel any more. Ignoring them is my answer.
The coach and the players have my full attention.
I am finding my roots: Στις χαρές και τις λύπες μαζι!
Long time friends here know that I usually watch every single Panathinaikos game during the year and follow every single rumor over the off season. I agonize over tactics, over form, over pre-season, and the overall performance of the team.
But things have changed for me this year.
The summer went by without the usual agony over the transfers (I already knew what was going to happen), the friendlies seemed completely uninteresting, the European games simply verified what I already knew was going to happen but was afraid to admit, and the Superleague games seem meaningless.
Except, last time I watched the game against Giannina, I found myself getting excited once again. I found myself twitching my leg every time Leto was about to shoot - as if I was about to shoot the ball myself, and grinding my teeth whenever opposing players seemed to beat our own on defence - as if they were going by me.
To be sure, the game felt meaningless because I don't expect much from this season, but at the same time the game was exciting for once just because it was a GAME! And in this last word I am beginning to find some meaning in this seemingly hopeless season/board/league.
It's like in real life when we find more meaning amidst the worst calamities.
I love Panathinaikos despite the wins or losses. I love the game even when we don't win the league. I love the play and the players on the pitch more that I care for the board or the actual pathetic Greek football league.
As soon as I shed from my mind the fixed games and the rigged league and the pathetic shareholders and the clueless reporters (such they are), "organized fans", and the violence, the game seems like fun again. I don't care if we win the league or break records. All I really want and enjoy is to watch the 90 minutes of "αγών¨ on the pitch.
The players seemed unaffected and played with pride last contest, and playing their game, they are giving me a new start this season. As long as they play hard every game I'll be there as a Panathinaikos fan.
And with that realization, I am looking forward to watching the game against Atromitos.
From my end, I am going to give it a break with the analysis so as not to contribute to the already existing turmoil. There is really no reason to overanalyze every single player and every single move by the coach. If a player makes a costly mistake, it's not the end of the world. I'll try to focus on the positives and do what I believe is good for the club at this crossroads.
The game is better without the clowns who own and pretend that they don't, and without those who pretend that they want to own but they are afraid to say they don't. I don't listen and I don't read their drivel any more. Ignoring them is my answer.
The coach and the players have my full attention.
I am finding my roots: Στις χαρές και τις λύπες μαζι!
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